By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved a preliminary plat for the Big Creek Estates Third Addition during its Tuesday meeting.
The proposed project would be north of Reservation Road and include 14 residential lots and one stormwater retention lot. The item returned to the commission after additional review by the county planning and zoning board.
Justin Craig, the county’s environmental services director, provided updates on the plat, including expanding the cul-de-sac to meet county standards and increasing all lot sizes to a minimum of 14,000 square feet.
Craig said the roadway would remain private and be maintained by developer Adam Pray. Multiple lots with double frontage would include restricted access areas to prevent entry from secondary roads.
The development will also use a centralized sanitary sewer, while water will come from individual private wells. Commissioner Neal Younger asked Pray what would happen if a well had to be moved because no water was found at the planned location.
"We've got flexibility," Pray said. "There's water down there. We wouldn't be so far along on this project if we didn't have high confidence in water."
Community improves district parameters
Commissioners discussed standards for future community improvement districts.
A community improvement district is a designated area where property owners agree to pay additional taxes or fees to fund road improvements. Subdivision roads in Ellis County are normally not maintained by the county.
State law requires signatures from at least 55% of landowners, but the commission agreed to require a two-thirds majority to ensure broader support for what would essentially be a taxing district.
Commissioners also agreed that at least 75% of parcels must be developed before approving a community improvement road project, which is intended to protect improved roads from damage caused by heavy construction traffic.
The commission reviewed three options for the minimum level of road improvements required for a community improvement district project.
In discussion with Public Works Director Brendan Mackay and Stonewood North resident Ty Wilson, commissioners weighed the options by considering cost, road quality and long-term county standards.
Myers clarified the three choices discussed:
1. An initial double seal coat, followed by two or possibly three additional maintenance seal coats over time
2. An initial double seal coat, followed by an asphalt lift with a seal coat, with future maintenance falling under the county's maintenance plan
3. Landowners work with a contractor for the road improvements
DNSWK agreement for services
The commission approved the 2026 services agreement with DSNWK, formalizing previously approved funding levels.
In September 2025, the commission approved a $250,000 subsidy request for DSNWK, with additional funding of $120,000 for the child care program and $50,000 for ACCESS Transportation.
Other business
• Commissioners were in agreement to refocus the county scholarship program as a recruitment and retention effort for county employees. The scholarship amount was reduced to $5,000 and would no longer be open to the general student population.
• The commission reminded the public that there is a Joint Planning Commission vacancy, with the term ending on June 30, followed by a three-year term if reappointed.
• From March 30 through Oct. 30, Ellis County Public Works, Road and Bridge and Noxious Weeds will operate on a four-day workweek, with employees working 10-hour days from 7 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.